"How much did your bike cost?"

I don't like to talk about how much I spent on ANYTHING. I have a couple of friends who (in my opinion) are very nosy and always ask how much stuff cost (and then tell other people). I always fumble my way around the question, and then come up with a snappy response later. I was raised to not talk about such things (including how much money a person makes). One of these friends is always telling me how much he spends on stuff, in a show-offy kind of way (drives me nuts :mad:).

I did run into this question several times over the weekend, since I just bought a new bike Thursday, and Saturday I was hanging around at a local tri that DH was doing. At least those were all bikers, mostly with at least comparable-value bikes. I still weaseled my way out of a direct answer, but some of them got enough info to do the math. Mainly, I pointed out what a great deal I got, and what a great value it was compared to the equivalent bike I always though would be my next.

The first person who asked, though, was one of the college students at work. He asked point-blank. That always startles me. So when he immediately rephrased it as "Can I ask how much it cost?", I grabbed the opportunity to say "Sure, you can ask, buuuuut...." And then said I got a great deal. This kid would think nothing of spending much more on snowmobiles & ATVs & dirt bikes & jet skis (as would a lot of the people in this area), so I guess I should keep that in mind. It boggles my mind how much people spend on motorized toys, but then I've never been into those. Whenever I look at the thousands of dollars worth of bikes and skis in the garage, I tell myself that it is still way cheaper than some of the toys people have.

MomonBike: I love the "cheaper than a heart attack" line! :cool: I'll have to remember that one!

I tell them my favorite bike (Univega Grand Turismo purchased in 1986) cost me $230 and I think I've gotten my moneys worth out of it. I tell them my 2007 LeMond Buenos Aires WSD was a lot more.

I had lunch with my best friend today and somehow the topic of bicycles came up in our conversation. I told her my new bike ran me around $2000 and the look on her face was priceless. She simply could not believe I spent that kind of cash on a toy. I smiled and told her it was worth every penny. I also told her that was why it took me so long to decide to purchase a new bike - sticker shock is alive and real in the cycling world.

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Originally Posted by sundial

Oh gosh, I just remembered. Hubby mentioned the Mavics he bought for his zippy bike and his tightwad friend started grilling him about why he even needed those, is it worth the cost, how will it improve the performance.....:rolleyes:

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Yes, they're worth it! :D My crossride rims were a 50th b'day present from Mom, sis (thanks Duck on Wheels) and my LBS. :D Thanks Duck!

I like them so much I painted the bike to match the logo :rolleyes:

On commute inquiries part of that is my 'hood is not the safest in the Bay Area. I love it here, the diversity, the scenery, the greenery, the food and it's handy to everything but .... it can be a little dicey and I work in Oakland so you never know why they are asking.

In general I try to be helpful with questions to the extent I can and not be late for work :cool: one guy asked "how much does it cost for a bike no decals? What brand is it?"

I told him to go to my LBS, gave him the name and ask about powdercoating his bike.

But people who ride just know! One of the guys working on my condo saw it and "oh, that's a GT Outpost trail!" If you ride you know this stuff.

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Originally Posted by MomOnBike

If pressed, I tell them that it's cheaper than a heart attack.

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LOL - I love that statement too. Must remember that one.
I have a friend who plays golf and who I know has spent a fortune on golf clubs, club membership etc who was shocked by how much my bikes cost. When I mentioned that he spent a fair bit on his beloved golf he said but its just a bike. Hmm I guess for some people bikes will always be things for kids so they can not fathom an adult spending a fair bit of money on one.

I am usually an "enough" answer. I was thinking about this this weekend, I have about 4500 miles on my $2000 bicycle. When you look at cost per mile, it really isn't that much, especially when you consider that I will be riding it at least another year before I replace it.

I don't like talking about what my bikes cost because I'm just a year out of grad school and I don't like when people make assumptions about my financial situation based on what I'm riding or driving or what my DH makes. That leads to them making assumptions about whether I need to work at all, which I do, and it's quite annoying.

If they are asking about my Dahon, I tell them what it retails for, and if it seems that they're really interested in the bike, I'll use it as a segue for for how I have a friend at the company and that I like that the company is dedicated to promoting folding bikes as _part_ of the solution to making transit multi-modal, and that they have a whole range of bikes at various prices that are geared toward different types of riders/functions.

If they ask about my Rodriguez, I tell them that my insurance policy picked up about 2/3 of the cost, which is true. Rodriguez is pretty well known locally so we usually skip the "how much did it cost" part and go straight to the "how can you afford this" part. Which is odd, because as others have mentioned, there are FAR more expensive bikes out there. Rodriguez bikes are actually quite reasonable, given the challenge of finding a good fit for someone who is barely 5'1"

If people want to make judgments about me based on what I spend on my bikes, I tell them that as a petite person, I REALLY don't have a lot of options. I've since learned about a few more since joining this board (Surly LHT! Coveting it!), but I also don't need another bike right now.

My theft-proof GT Rebound (Doesn't matter what it cost, 'cuz I'm sure I can't pay anyone to take it off my hands, which is fine, because it is dearly loved) is crying out for some TLC.

I don't mind telling people what my bike cost if it is a friend, but why answer that to a stranger? I'm not sure a stranger has ever asked me, though.

A couple of months ago I was over extended and declined going out to dinner with a friend. I found out later that a mutual friend, on hearing about that, said "what is she doing spending $3000 on a bike if she is so broke"...that really tee'd me off! One, I didn't spend $3000 on a bike. Two, I'm single, no kids, living on my own and paying my own bills....what buisness is it of hers if I spend all my money on a bike?! Really, it still angers me...

Barbara

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Originally Posted by BarbaraAlys

...what buisness is it of hers if I spend all my money on a bike?! Really, it still angers me...
Barbara

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I agree Barbara, that would make me mad as well! It's completely rude anytime someone makes a judgment on someone else's financial situation. Besides, financial situations can completely change in a matter of days...

I still feel that "how much did you pay for..." is not a question I have to answer. I try to be vague and give a range, like "you can pay anywhere from $x to $y depending on what components you want."

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

Has anyone who was clearly not a cyclist ever asked you that? How did you respond?

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I get asked that fairly frequently. Depending on which bike I'm on, I'll answer "About 4" or "About 6". They always ask, "...hundred?" at which point I just smile, wink and ride away.

Oh, and I get asked a lot if I'm a pro, which cracks me up to no end. I'm a middle-aged lady! :p

I love answering that question, 'cos my three bikes were all bought used or at a clearing sale. People are usually assuming I ride really expensive bikes because I ride so much, so I jump at the opportunity to tell them how you can buy a really decent bike that lasts for years with just a little more cash than most people would give for a clunker, if you shop wisely.

I don't tell them that I've paid for them several times over in parts... ;)

If I had a high-end bike that I didn't want to defend all the time I'd like to answer "Oh, it cost me x days/weeks/months wages", and leave them wondering. It's still considered rude to ask point-blank how much someone earns, I think :D

I get that question alot with my Bike Friday. I tell the inquisitors, "Bike Fridays come in a variety of models at a variety of prices. It depends on what you want in a bike." They usually don't pursue the line of questioning any further. If they do, something like, "Oh, I had to save up for it" satisfies them that yes, it costs probably more than they want to spend, but also indicates that I don't just spend wildly, which is really what they want to know anyways. People are so sneaky and wiley.

When I commuted to work, I would get that question, and the "alot less than a car" response shut them up really fast.

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Originally Posted by BarbaraAlys

A couple of months ago I was over extended and declined going out to dinner with a friend. I found out later that a mutual friend, on hearing about that, said "what is she doing spending $3000 on a bike if she is so broke"...that really tee'd me off! Barbara

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I'd be seriously PO'd at that one, too! Maybe it means you're a financially savvy person, who knows to skip an evening out when things are tight so that you WILL be in a position to be able to make the big purchases that are important to you, like a good bike.

I've never really run into questions about the price of my bike (probably b/c I don't have a really expensive bike). I did have a co-worker ask me recently what I had paid for mine, but I also knew he was considering buying a bike for around-town errands and such. So I re-directed, with a "well, my road bike was a lot [it wasn't, but in comparison to what I am sure he was expecting to spend it would have seemed like a lot to him], but you can get a nice comfort hybrid in the $250-300 range" and from there we talked a bit about different kinds of bikes and the purposes that would suit, etc.

Why IS it that people do not flinch at spending thousands on a television, yet scoff at spending the same or less on a bike? It baffles me, how warped our priorities have become as a society. :confused:

I went into a small business the other day to get something, I know enough of the staff to make small conversations. I rode my bike there, and they asked why was I wearing soccer cleats. No, sorry, bike shoes. They make bike shoes? Yep! We never knew there were special shoes for bikes. Explained the shoe/pedal/clip theory. WHen I got ready to leave, one of the ladies said, I gotta go and check this out. So she came out, showed her the whole thing on how it works. She asked me the price of what things cost. I replied, this is my stress release. I ride early in the mornings, hear the birds, see wildlife, and smell the air. To me this is cheaper than a shrink and sedating medications to keep me from choking my fellow co-workers, so this to me is priceless. She looked at me rather funny, then showed her how my shoe clipped in and told her to enjoy her day and off I went.
As a general rule, if I know the person, I tell them oh the bike price for this model starts at 1,200 give or take, but I got mine on sale. The jaws are usually dropped enough at this comment, I get to tell them, that doesn't include pedals, saddle, or the upgrade in tires!;)

I rode my new bike to work today, so it was sitting in my office all day. Several people looked at it (I used my brand new bike as a excuse to get out of a golf scramble/drinking fest on Friday, so they knew about it). One guy kept throwing out numbers, just to get to me. Another one came in, hefted it, and said "$xxxx". He was exactly right. :rolleyes: Other than with him, I'm continuing to use my "a lot less than list price" line. For the most part, my coworkers (being engineers & mechanics & other mechanically-inclined men) are more interested in the construction than the cost (comments like "they didn't give you all your spokes", "must be expensive if the seat has the name phonetically spelled right on top", "don't let it get hit by a rock (the carbon fiber frame)"), but they do ask.

I'm a new biker so yes..I talk about my $300.00 bike at work..some thinking of making a purchase think they can buy a bike for $100.00, told them no..that was when you were a kid. The gasps:eek: could be heard around the world when I told them about the $8,000 bike I saw at the shop...they could not understand it. I wasted my time telling them the weight difference, construction and how it was not for the average biker--they do not understand.

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Originally Posted by uforgot

I usually reply "enough" because isn't it incredibly rude to ask how much something costs? I was raised that you NEVER ask that.

Was is Dear Abby who said..."I'll forgive you for asking if you forgive me for not answering."

End of lecture.

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"None of your Business, Mr Nosey Parker" or "priceless"

One meelion dollars. :D

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Originally Posted by Sgritn

The gasps:eek: could be heard around the world when I told them about the $8,000 bike I saw at the shop...they could not understand it.

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They would get it that there's a $15,000 car and $150,000 car, right? I don't know what golf clubs cost but I bet Tiger Woods has clubs you can't get at Target there's more or less expensive anything.

A coworker told me about forgetting a handbag on a plane with ..... 2K worth of makeup. 2 grand, in a handbag, makeup :eek: :confused: I don't understand, chapstick and sunscreen, that's it for me.

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Originally Posted by Skierchickie

. . . comments like "they didn't give you all your spokes".

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HA i've heard that one too.
OR how about "with the amount you paid for this bike they could at least give you a kickstand."

I get that question all the time. I hate it and a lot of the posts here ring true with me. Sometimes I feel like a total poser who doesn't deserve a bike as nice as mine. The question also embarrasses me because I'm conservative with money and even though I can afford it, I wonder if people see it as being wasteful. But it's for a healthy endeavor and I'm on the thing three times a week.

I got the question again from a friend last week because I just bought a mountain bike. First question? How much did it cost? I answered just like always (and tried to not be irritated but I was). More than I planned!

Sheri

I tell them: "less than smoking"...

I rarely get asked that question, one, because my friends know better, and two, people know that this is how I choose to spend my money. But last week, at the B and B we stayed at, the owner asked my husband how much our bikes cost. My husband was truthful in his reply, but he also added that you can get a really nice road bike for 2K and a good entry level one for $800.00. That was the end of it, I think because the person asking is familiar with what people spend on power boats and golf clubs. I think if you can relate the cost of the bike with the cost of something familiar, it's good.One of the few times I was asked about the cost of my bike, I just laughed and said " a lot."
I don't think people should make assumptions about how much others spend. It's personal. I relate to the person who said that some question whether she really needs to work, like that's anyone's business. When I go back to grad school in a few weeks, I hope none of the other students make assumptions about me because of my stuff. I worked for 30 years, can finally afford to do what I want (within reason) and if I want to change careers or spend x amount of dollars on a bike, it's my business.

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Originally Posted by uforgot

I usually reply "enough" because isn't it incredibly rude to ask how much something costs? I was raised that you NEVER ask that.

Was is Dear Abby who said..."I'll forgive you for asking if you forgive me for not answering."

End of lecture.

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I know. I was raised the same way and it always shocks me when someone asks how much I pay for rent or I overhear someone asking how much another person paid for their house. UGH. I would never!

For me it really matters who is asking. I don't mind telling people what we paid for our house, or our cars, or how much our last vacation cost. I try not to look at finances as being so personal. Houses, sometimes, people are just trying to gage what your neighborhood is worth. If someone wants to judge me because of where I live or how little my house cost, that's OK. My goal isn't to have the best, but to have enough (though I do mind if someone wants to know the cc balance or how much cash is in the bank. Not that our balance is super high or the money in the bank is too much or too little, but because it's none of anyone's business).

But, I also wouldn't just tell anyone about the bike cost. A friend, yes. Someone interested in getting into riding, sure. Some of my family? I'd have to put it into perspective for them, like the TV thing or explain how much time I spend in the saddle a week. My grandma would never understand it (golly, I can hear her now!), and I'm not sure my parents would either.

Wasn't there a thread like this a long while back? Didn't someone have a witty retort along the lines of "less than a triple bypass?"

DH and I did a credit card tour in Alaska on our Santana tandem. People would pull up next to us at stop signs and ask "how much does a bike like that cost?" (this was 20 yrs ago) When I told them 1500$, they were actually soooo disappointed! So the next time someone asked us, I just said 500$. Then they said "cool!" and drove off with a smile. That answer worked well for the Alaska tour! When people ask me now, I tell them how much my snazzy little Ruby costs with no shame. When they are shocked, I add - well, I ride it about 120 to 180 miles a week (which is usually a jaw dropper) and I'm on it actually more than I drive my car. That usually shuts them right up. Then more than one person has said "well, if you're on your bike that much, it must be important for it to be comfortable" . But the people who ask are inevitably non-athletic slobs er I mean types, not slobs! Tokie

I tell them the truth: "I paid more for my bike than for my car." :rolleyes:

(Granted, my car was a gift from my sister. But the bike was still worth more than the blue-book for my car at the time.)

Kind of related - speaking about people who don't know what bikes cost:

My cousin had a carbon fiber louis garneau rodie. She went to Tahoe for the TNT - well long story short, she filled out the insurance paperwork for FedEx and L&L didn't file it. Her frame came back cracked and the wheels trashed. They gave her and her shop SUCH a hard time and took almost 8 weeks to remiburse her for it. Her shop was on a conference call with the bean counters at L&L and one guy said to him "I ride a hybrid bike so I know about bikes. How could hers possibly be worth $3k?"

:eek:

For me, I don't tell. Which usually makes people want to guess. :cool:

I got asked this when I brought my husband's bike into my office (I was dropping at the LBS by me). One of the managers would not stop fidgeting with it, he seriously tried to get on it! He asked how much one like that was (DH's was about $2800). I said "More than my first car (true) and enough that I am not comfortable with you playing with it".

He scoffed but I know him from my previous life as a bowler and bowling balls can run $300/ea. Most competitive bowlers have 6+ balls and get a couple new ones a year. My second reply was "that one has lasted longer than the car or any bowling ball I ever owned. And I spent more in 4 years bowling than I have in the 4 years cycling." I actually bowled for 15 years and don't want to think about the number of bowling balls I owned or how much I spent on league, tournaments and practice. Other than a couple hundred in maintenance a year my bike can be free to use. I can ride many rides from my house, so I don't even have to drive. There was no free bowling. ;)

I did tell one co-worker exactly how much my commuter, roadie and mountain cost. I also told him you could find a good quality bike for less and it would last a long time.

I was just asked this a couple of weeks ago for the first time. Obviously not a cyclist asking and it did feel a little weird. My friend and I were together and she wasn't responding, so I did. My bike isn't easy to explain the price of, so I explained how all the "parts" on the bike came from my husband's old bike and when he was ready to buy an even better bike, he bought me a frame and had the parts put on it. If I had bought the bike retail all put together, it would have been around $4,000 (Dura-Ace components, etc.), but we saved a lot on the frame because our LBS guy sort of decided dh was on the Cannondale team, so he got the Cannondale team price. :) And the parts were all bought separately, a little at a time, while dh upgraded his first bike over the course of a year.

And then he asked about my friend's bike and I looked at her and said, "What, about $2,000 or $2,500?" She said $2,500.

After we left I thought maybe I should have simply said "a lot" and left it at that. I did say that, actually, but the guy pressed for more. I'm not sure if my friend was irritated or not. I shouldn't have answered for her. I don't really care if the guy wants to know how much my bike is, except for the fact that we did recently have a burglary at our house, so I really shouldn't be going around telling people how much money I have sitting in my garage. However, luckily, the burglars left all our high end bikes. Police said they'd be too easy to trace I guess. The bad guys also probably didn't have enough room in the back of my Jeep Cherokee they stole to PUT the bikes along with the big screen TV and everything else!!!

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Originally Posted by Jiffer

. . . . except for the fact that we did recently have a burglary at our house, so I really shouldn't be going around telling people how much money I have sitting in my garage. However, luckily, the burglars left all our high end bikes. Police said they'd be too easy to trace I guess.

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The police are dead wrong. We lost high end bikes that could not be found and the police suspected it was a planned hit. The burglar probably knew what was in the garage as they parked inside while they "shopped" and took a custom tandem that wouldn't fit the average couple.

You need to lock your bikes even inside the garage.

Another reason I don't discuss the cost of my bikes with strangers.

As others have said, it depends on whether the person is a cyclist and what kind of bike they ride -- and, what toys they might own.

I might say "It cost a lot.". If they press, and drive an SUV, I'd say "Less than a year's worth of gas in your SUV, and let me tell you about the immeasurable health benefits I get in return...."

If a certain someone (a non-cyclist who just wants to know how much money we spend) asks how much my Sidi's cost, I'm ready to say "Much less than just 1 payment on your new luxury SUV." :D

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Originally Posted by Yen

I might say "It cost a lot.". If they press, and drive an SUV, I'd say "Less than a year's worth of gas in your SUV, and let me tell you about the immeasurable health benefits I get in return...."

If a certain someone (a non-cyclist who just wants to know how much money we spend) asks how much my Sidi's cost, I'm ready to say "Much less than just 1 payment on your new luxury SUV." :D

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Why pick on SUVs? Why not "As much gas as it takes to run your soccer-mom mobile, or as much as a payment on that mininvan."?? Or..."As much as that loud-stinkin-tire-squealing sports car you got there."
Oh wait....it's only p.c. to pick on SUV drivers. Got it. :rolleyes:

Actually, why pick on anything? The wide-screen TV comments bothered me a little, and no, I don't have one. But my neighbor, a great guy who works his butt off on the graveyard shift, does. So what? More power to him if that's what he wants to do with his hard-earned bucks. He also got himself a relatively inexpensive bike lately and brought it over to show us--very pleased, he was, and went off for a ride around the neighborhood with his daughter.

I don't feel any need to defend the cost of my bike to others, and I don't see any reason to put down whatever they're doing with their money, either. Just like to go my own way and do my own stuff, and let others do the same.

Also, for someone like me who grew up on sci fi and would love to meet people from other worlds, I consider my neighbor's TV a major asset. I'm sure it will attract aliens since I am convinced you can see his TV from space. :)

Doesn't bother me when people ask me how much anything cost. If they want to 'judge' me or my things, that is their choice. Doesn't affect me, as I don't give a rat's behiney what they think. :D

I for one, am interested in how much new and used bikes cost and all that goes into them. I want to know what I should expect to pay for these things. I am not judging people, I am geniunely interested.

What people do with their money is their choice. I may not choose to spend my money as they do, but that is okay as that is my choice. No judgements here, and for those that like to judge, well have fun. Doesn't affect me!

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Originally Posted by salsabike

Also, for someone like me who grew up on sci fi and would love to meet people from other worlds, I consider my neighbor's TV a major asset. I'm sure it will attract aliens since I am convinced you can see his TV from space. :)

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At last I know! Attracted by their TV, aliens invaded my parents' bodies.

The same thing you do when someone asks how much you weigh or how old you are--LIE! My sister is antique dealer--the side perk is she never has to pay retail for anything. They pick up everything they could possibly need while they are at estate sales--their bikes, soap, clothes (new designer labels, with tags still attached), lawn mowers, kitchen appliances. So when my husband and I took up cycling again last summer we went and upgraded our bikes (they were both about 8 years old). I got a mid-level Trek hybrid and dh got a nice Trek street bike. When we met my sister and her dh for a bike ride, she got excited and asked how much--I lied, $400 and it was buy one get one free (giggle, giggle). She believed me! She had no concept what a new bike cost!

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Originally Posted by cunninghamair

I lied, $400 and it was buy one get one free (giggle, giggle). She believed me! She had no concept what a new bike cost!

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Hee hee, just wait till she goes to the LBS and asks where their BOGO sale bikes are. :D :p

And a hearty welcome to TE:)

What do you say when a coworker (let's say your boss) is looking for a bike for their DW. Shocked at the prices at a LBS of $500 or so and knowing that you have more than one bike asks "would you sell your extra bike?"

"uh, no" :rolleyes:

But then I did go ahead and give him a lot of helpful info how to pick a bike.